The Evolution Of Foo Fighters’ Lineup Through The Years

When Dave Grohl started Foo Fighters as a solo project, he didn’t think it’s going to be a full band that would reach the fame and success they have now. The former Nirvana drummer only wanted to make his own self-titled album at first, but later decided to continue making music as a group without knowing that they’re going to be one of the most successful rock icons of their generation.

Foo Fighters have released 10 albums, sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, received more than a dozen Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But over the years, the lineup of this band went on so many changes since their beginning in the 1990s.

Foo Fighters have released 10 albums, sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, received more than a dozen Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But over the years, the lineup of this band went on so many changes since their beginning in the 1990s.

In 1994, Grohl started the project alone. He sang all the vocals and played all of the instruments on his first solo album titled Foo Fighters. The rocker made a hundred copies of his debut LP and pass them out to friends and associates. It reached a wider circle and resulted into a signing deal with Capitol Records.

Grohl then decided to form a full band and the album got nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 1996 Grammy Awards. From 1995 to 1997, the singer was joined by bassist Nate Mendel, drummer William Goldsmith, and guitarist Pat Smear. Although Goldsmith quit during the recording of 1997’s The Colour and the Shape, Grohl had to re-recorded most of the drum parts himself.

The album soon had some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Everlong,” “My Hero” and “Monkey Wrench.” Smear also quit the band but returned to the new lineup with Grohl, Mendel, and Taylor Hawkins, who were playing on tour with Alanis Morrissette at that time. Hawkins was announced as the new Foo Fighters drummer on March 18, 1997.

From that year up to 1999, the lineup changed to Grohl, Mendel, Hawkins, and Franz Stahl, who replaced Smear on the tour of their album. But later on, Stahl was fired from the band during a conference call in 1999. The trio continued and released their third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose. Shortly after, Chris Shiflett joined as the lead guitarist and played on the group’s fourth released in 2002, One by One.

In 2005, Smear returned and became a full-time bandmate again in 2010. The new lineup played on the band’s seventh album, Wasting Light, released in 2011 and the band’s eighth album, Sonic Highways, in 2014. Between 2005 to 2006, Foo Fighters was briefly joined by Petra Haden (violinist and vocalist) and Drew Hester (percussionist).

Although both of them weren’t made as an official member, Haden contributed to 2005’s half electric, half acoustic double album In Your Honor and later appeared on the band’s 2006 live LP Skin & Bones. While, Hester also appeared on Skin & Bones and went on to contribute to the band’s next three albums: Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007), Wasting Light, and Sonic Highways.

From 2017 up to this year, the lineup was composed of Grohl, Mendel, Hawkins, Smear, Shiflett, and Rami Jaffee, who has been a touring member since 2005. They released the Concrete and Gold album in 2017 and Medicine at Midnight in 2021. However, last March 25, the world was shocked by the sudden death of Hawkins.

Following the tragic news, the band have decided to cancel their upcoming tour dates. Their last live show with Hawkins was at the Lollapalooza Argentina on March 20. Recently, the surviving members of Foo Fighters have announced two tribute concerts for the late drummer for later this year.